David Bedingham pleased as South Africa get valuable time in the middle ahead of West Indies Tests
David Bedingham is pleased that the South Africa batters received some valuable time in the middle ahead of the first Test against the West Indies, starting in Trinidad on Wednesday.
The Proteas batted for the best part of two days in the four-day warm-up fixture against a West Indies Invitational XI, racking up a total of 408-8 in 119 overs.
Opener Aiden Markram top-scored with 82 while captain Temba Bavuma (51), Bedingham (74), Kyle Verreynne (65) and Ryan Rickelton (80) all struck half-centuries.
The home side posted 397 all out in their first innings with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and spinner Dane Piedt picking up three wickets apiece.
The Proteas first-choice Test unit have not played together since January and Bedingham was happy with the workout before tackling the Windies in the two-match series.
"I think acclimatising to these conditions was important, coming from winter it was a change," the middle-order batter said at stumps on the third day.
"It's been good to get out there for three days, I think we bowled for over 100 overs which is good for our fielders and bowlers.
"I think our batters put up a good show for probably over 100 overs or more and it has been invaluable."
Bedingham is one of the few Proteas players that has played red-ball cricket recently with a fabulous start to the English County season with Durham.
The Western Province batter looked fluent at the crease in the war-um fixture and will look to build on his excellent start to his Test career which has seen him score a hundred and two fifties in four matches.
He added: "I am pleased, hopefully I can continue this momentum into the next series. People do their research and I am sure I can adapt to what they have planned.
"I can't say I have played against many of them before but they are a strong team. I like to see myself as a free-flowing player that will always take the positive option.
"I have been playing in the UK, I don‘t think I have sweat at all. The amount of time someone changed gloves there was a massive change.
"Taking a lot of fluids and getting used to all that stuff and trying to bat as long as possible is the aim for the two coming Test matches."